Systems and Methods For Generating Haptic Effects Associated WIth Audio Signals

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals are disclosed. One disclosed system for outputting haptic effects includes a processor configured to: receive an audio signal; determine a haptic effect based in part on the audio signal by: identifying one or more components in the audio signal; and determining a haptic effect associated with the one or more components; and output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/078,445 filed on Nov. 12, 2013, and entitled“Systems and Methods for Generating Haptic Effects Associated With AudioSignals,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/874,933 filed on Sep. 6, 2013 and entitled “Audio to Haptics” theentirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/078,445 is related to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/078,438, filed on Nov. 12, 2013 and entitled“Systems and Methods for Generating Haptic Effects Associated withTransitions in Audio Signals,” (Attorney Docket No. IMM477(51851-879623)), the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/078,445 is related to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/078,442, filed on Nov. 12, 2013 and entitled“Systems and Methods for Generating Haptic Effects Associated with anEnvelope in Audio Signals,” (Attorney Docket No. IMM478 (51851-879624)),the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to haptic feedback and moreparticularly to systems and methods for generating haptic effectsassociated with audio signals.

BACKGROUND

Touch-enabled devices have become increasingly popular. For instance,mobile and other devices may be configured with touch-sensitive displaysso that a user can provide input by touching portions of thetouch-sensitive display. As another example, a touch-enabled surfaceseparate from a display may be used for input, such as a trackpad,mouse, or other device. Furthermore, some touch-enabled devices make useof haptic effects, for example, haptic effects configured to simulate atexture or a friction on a touch-surface. In some devices these hapticeffects may correlate to audio or other effects output by the device.However, due to latency in processing and outputting the audio andhaptic effects, these effects may be less compelling. Thus, there is aneed for improved haptic effects associated with audio effects.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure include devices featuring hapticeffects felt on a touch area and associated with audio signals. Thesehaptic effects may include, but are not limited to, changes in texture,changes in coefficient of friction, and/or simulation of boundaries,obstacles, or other discontinuities in the touch surface that can beperceived through use of an object in contact with the surface.

In one embodiment, a system of the present disclosure may comprise aprocessor configured to: receive an audio signal; determine a hapticeffect based in part on the audio signal by: identifying one or morecomponents in the audio signal; and determining a haptic effectassociated with the one or more components; and output a haptic signalassociated with the haptic effect. Another embodiment comprises a methodfor determining a haptic effect based in part on the audio signal.

These illustrative embodiments are mentioned not to limit or define thelimits of the present subject matter, but to provide examples to aidunderstanding thereof. Illustrative embodiments are discussed in theDetailed Description, and further description is provided there.Advantages offered by various embodiments may be further understood byexamining this specification and/or by practicing one or moreembodiments of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure is set forth more particularly in theremainder of the specification. The specification makes reference to thefollowing appended figures.

FIG. 1A shows an illustrative system for generating haptic effectsassociated with audio signals;

FIG. 1B shows an external view of one embodiment of the system shown inFIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C illustrates an external view of another embodiment of the systemshown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A illustrates an example embodiment for generating haptic effectsassociated with audio signals;

FIG. 2B illustrates an example embodiment for generating haptic effectsassociated with audio signals;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment for generating haptic effectsassociated with audio signals according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart for a method for generating hapticeffects associated with audio signals according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates a flow chart for a method for generating hapticeffects associated with audio signals according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart for a method for generating hapticeffects associated with audio signals according to one embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart for a method for generating hapticeffects associated with audio signals according to one embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart for a method for generating hapticeffects associated with audio signals according to one embodiment;

FIG. 9A illustrates a system overview for generating content with A/Vsignals according to one embodiment; and

FIG. 9B illustrates a system overview for generating content with A/Vsignals according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to various and alternativeillustrative embodiments and to the accompanying drawings. Each exampleis provided by way of explanation, and not as a limitation. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variationscan be made. For instance, features illustrated or described as part ofone embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that this disclosure includemodifications and variations as come within the scope of the appendedclaims and their equivalents.

Illustrative Example of a Device for Generating Haptic EffectsAssociated with Audio Signals

One illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure comprises acomputing system, such as a smartphone, tablet, or portable musicdevice. In some embodiments, the computing system may comprise awearable device, or be embedded in furniture or clothes. The computingsystem can include and/or may be in communication with one or moresensors, such as an accelerometer, as well as sensors (e.g., optical,resistive, or capacitive) for determining a location of a touch relativeto a display area corresponding in this example to the screen of thedevice.

As the user interacts with the device, one or more haptic outputdevices, for example, actuators are used to provide haptic effects. Forexample, a haptic effect may be output to simulate the presence of atexture on the surface of the device. In one such embodiment, as theuser's finger moves across the surface, a vibration, electric field, orother effect may be output to simulate the feeling of a texture on thesurface of the device. Similarly, in another embodiment, as the usermoves a finger across the device, the perceived coefficient of frictionof the screen can be varied (e.g., increased or decreased) based on theposition, velocity, and/or acceleration of the finger or the length oftime the finger has been in contact with the device. In otherembodiments, the mobile device may output haptic effects such asvibrations, pops, clicks, or surface deformations. In some embodiments,haptic effects may be output for a certain period of time (e.g., 50 ms)when a certain event occurs. In other embodiments, the haptic effect mayvary with a fixed period, e.g., in an embodiment, a texture may beoutput that varies at a 100 Hz rate, e.g., a 100 Hz sinusoid.

In the illustrative embodiment, the haptic effect comprises an effectassociated with an audio signal. For example, in some embodiments, thehaptic effect may comprise a haptic effect associated with an audiotrack. In some embodiments, the user may be listening to the audio track(e.g., using headphones, speakers, or some other type of audio outputdevice) at the time the haptic effect is determined. In otherembodiments, the haptic effect may be determined in advance as part of a“haptic track.” This haptic track may be distributed along with theaudio file, so that it may be played alongside the audio track. In someembodiments, the haptic track may be synched to the audio track suchthat haptic effects correspond to components in the audio track. Inother embodiments, the haptic effect may be associated with anAudio-Visual (“AV”) track, for example, the audio portion of a videofile.

In one illustrative embodiment, haptic effects may be determined byanalyzing an audio signal to identify or determine components within theaudio signal. In some embodiments, a component may comprise an eventwithin the audio signal, such as a discrete event, e.g., a gunshot,explosion, scream, or fight. Further, in some embodiments, a componentmay comprise a source that is associated with a recurring audio effect,e.g., a guitar, piano, or speaker. Further, in some embodiments, thecomponent may comprise a feature occurring within the audio signal. Theterm feature is a term of art signifying a descriptor of an audiosegment, which in some embodiments may enable an algorithm to classify asegment of the audio signal, for example, by identifying an emotion. Inone embodiment, Mel-frequency cepstrums (MFCC) may be used as audiofeatures used for classification. In such an embodiment, the system mayidentify events or sources using those MFCCs or other features ordescriptors. Further, in some embodiments, an audio signal may includeaudio components such as the sound of a voice (e.g., speech or singing),along with components associated with action (e.g., gunfire, automotivenoises, and special effects), and background noise (e.g., music ormechanical sounds). In one illustrative embodiment, the system mayanalyze an audio file to determine the location of these components, andassign haptic effects to specific components. In a further embodiment,the system may determine that certain sounds should not comprise anassociated haptic effect. Thus, in one embodiment, the system maydetermine the presence of certain components within an audio signal anddetermine not to assign a haptic effect to those components.

In some embodiments, a system of the present disclosure may determinecomponents in an audio signal by dividing the audio signal into aplurality of time, frequency, or amplitude based segments. Thesesegments may then be individually analyzed for the presence of certaincomponents (e.g., speech, special effects, background noise, or music).The system may then classify each segment based on the presence of oneor more components. For example, a segment may comprise soundsassociated with gunfire, explosions, and a car revving. In such anembodiment, the system may classify the segment as an “action” segment.Further, in some embodiments, the system may assign a haptic effectbased on the classification. In one such embodiment, in the exampleabove, the system may associate an action segment of the audio file witha specific haptic effect, or set of haptic effects, e.g., high intensityvibrations synched with the occurrence of components such as the gunfireand explosions.

Further, in some embodiments of the present disclosure, the system mayanalyze an audio signal and isolate the source of one or more componentsin the audio signal. For example, the system may analyze the audiosignal to detect and isolate various sources of sounds. In oneembodiment, an audio signal may comprise a mixed audio signal (e.g., asignal that includes speech, special effects (e.g., explosions, gunfire,mechanical noises), animal sounds, or musical instruments (e.g., piano,guitar, drums, machines etc.), in such an embodiment, the system mayisolate certain sources in the audio signal, e.g., isolating the speech,music, or special effects. In such an embodiment, once the systemseparates the source of a sound, the system may assign a haptic effectto the source. For example, in one illustrative embodiment, the systemmay separate the sounds generated by a guitar from a signal associatedwith a rock song. In such an embodiment, the system may apply the hapticeffect to the guitar and no other components of the audio signal.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the system may isolate a pluralityof sources, and assign haptic effects to one or more of the plurality ofsources. For example, in one illustrative embodiment, the system mayseparate the guitar and bass from the remainder of the audio track. Insuch an embodiment, the system may apply the haptic effect to both theguitar signal and the bass signal. Further, in one embodiment, thesystem may isolate the components (e.g., the guitar or bass signal) anddetermine to remove haptic effects associated with those components. Forexample, in one embodiment, the system may clean a haptic track createdby automatic conversion to remove haptic effects associated with thecomponents.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the system may beconfigured to detect speech in an audio file. As described above, insome embodiments, the system may isolate the source of the speech, e.g.,isolate the speaker or speakers. Further, in some embodiments, thesystem may be configured to analyze the speech to determine one or moreemotions associated with the speaker. For example, the system mayanalyze the frequency, pitch, or tone to determine one or more emotionsassociated with the speaker. Further, in some embodiments, the systemmay determine or modify the haptic effect so that it is associated withthe emotions of the speaker. For example, in some embodiments, a hapticeffect associated with an angry speaker (or a scene associated with anangry speaker) may be more intense than the haptic effect associatedwith an amorous speaker. Alternatively, in some embodiments, thespecific emotion may comprise an emotion for which there is noassociated haptic effect. For example, in some embodiments, an emotionsuch as sadness may comprise no haptic effect, thus in some embodiments,when the system detects that a speaker is sad, the system will notassign a haptic effect to the speaker, or to the scene associated withthe speaker. Further, in some embodiments, the system may isolate thecomponents of the audio signal, e.g., components associated with speech,and determine to remove haptic effects associated with those components.For example, in one embodiment, the system may clean a haptic trackcreated by automatic conversion to remove haptic effects associated withspeech.

As will be discussed in further detail below, any number of componentsmay be found in an audio signal. Embodiments of the present disclosureprovide systems and methods for identifying these components, and thendetermining and outputting haptic effects that are synchronized withthese components. Further, in some embodiments, the systems and methodsdiscussed herein may be used to determine haptic effects associated withother types of signals, e.g., pressure, acceleration, velocity, ortemperature signals.

Illustrative Systems for Generating Haptic Effects Associated with AudioSignals

FIG. 1A shows an illustrative system 100 for generating haptic effectsassociated with audio signals. Particularly, in this example, system 100comprises a computing device 101 having a processor 102 interfaced withother hardware via bus 106. A memory 104, which can comprise anysuitable tangible (and non-transitory) computer-readable medium such asRAM, ROM, EEPROM, or the like, embodies program components thatconfigure operation of the computing device. In this example, computingdevice 101 further includes one or more network interface devices 110,input/output (I/O) interface components 112, and additional storage 114.

Network device 110 can represent one or more of any components thatfacilitate a network connection. Examples include, but are not limitedto, wired interfaces such as Ethernet, USB, IEEE 1394, and/or wirelessinterfaces such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, or radio interfaces foraccessing cellular telephone networks (e.g., a transceiver/antenna foraccessing a CDMA, GSM, UMTS, or other mobile communications network(s)).

I/O components 112 may be used to facilitate connection to devices suchas one or more displays, keyboards, mice, speakers, microphones,cameras, and/or other hardware used to input data or output data. Forexample, in some embodiments, I/O components 112 may include speakersconfigured to play audio signals provided by processor 102. Storage 114represents nonvolatile storage such as magnetic, optical, or otherstorage media included in device 101. In some embodiments, storage 114may be configured to store audio files configured to be played to theuser via I/O components 112.

System 100 further includes a touch surface 116, which, in this example,is integrated into device 101. Touch surface 116 represents any surfacethat is configured to sense touch input of a user. One or more sensors108, 130 are configured to detect a touch in a touch area when an objectcontacts a touch surface and provide appropriate data for use byprocessor 102. Any suitable number, type, or arrangement of sensors canbe used. For example, resistive and/or capacitive sensors may beembedded in touch surface 116 and used to determine the location of atouch and other information, such as pressure. As another example,optical sensors with a view of the touch surface may be used todetermine the touch position. In some embodiments, sensor 108 and touchsurface 116 may comprise a touch screen or a touch-pad. For example, insome embodiments, touch surface 116 and sensor 108 may comprise a touchscreen mounted overtop of a display configured to receive a displaysignal and output an image to the user. In other embodiments, the sensor108 may comprise an LED detector. For example, in one embodiment, touchsurface 116 may comprise an LED finger detector mounted on the side of adisplay. In some embodiments, the processor is in communication with asingle sensor 108, in other embodiments, the processor is incommunication with a plurality of sensors 108, 130 for example, a firsttouch screen and a second touch screen. The sensor 108 is configured todetect user interaction, and based on the user interaction, transmitsignals to processor 102. In some embodiments, sensor 108 may beconfigured to detect multiple aspects of the user interaction. Forexample, sensor 108 may detect the speed and pressure of a userinteraction, and incorporate this information into the interface signal.

Device 101 further comprises a haptic output device 118. In the exampleshown in FIG. 1A haptic output device 118 is in communication withprocessor 102 and is coupled to touch surface 116. In some embodiments,haptic output device 118 is configured to output a haptic effectsimulating a texture on the touch surface in response to a hapticsignal. Additionally or alternatively, haptic output device 118 mayprovide vibrotactile haptic effects that move the touch surface in acontrolled manner. Some haptic effects may utilize an actuator coupledto a housing of the device, and some haptic effects may use multipleactuators in sequence and/or in concert. For example, in someembodiments, a surface texture may be simulated by vibrating the surfaceat different frequencies. In such an embodiment, haptic output device118 may comprise one or more of, for example, a piezoelectric actuator,an electric motor, an electro-magnetic actuator, a voice coil, a shapememory alloy, an electro-active polymer, a solenoid, an eccentricrotating mass motor (ERM), or a linear resonant actuator (LRA). In someembodiments, haptic output device 118 may comprise a plurality ofactuators, for example an ERM and an LRA. In some embodiments, thehaptic device 118 may comprise or be embedded in a wearable device,furniture, or clothing.

Although a single haptic output device 118 is shown here, embodimentsmay use multiple haptic output devices of the same or different type tooutput haptic effects, for example, to simulate surface textures or varythe perceived coefficient of friction on the touch surface. For example,in one embodiment, a piezoelectric actuator may be used to displace someor all of touch surface 116 vertically and/or horizontally at ultrasonicfrequencies, such as by using an actuator moving at frequencies greaterthan 20-25 kHz in some embodiments. In some embodiments, multipleactuators such as eccentric rotating mass motors and linear resonantactuators can be used alone or in concert to provide different textures,variations in the coefficient of friction, or other haptic effects.

In still other embodiments, haptic output device 118 may applyelectrostatic friction or attraction, for example, by use of anelectrostatic surface actuator, to simulate a texture on the surface oftouch surface 116. Similarly, in some embodiments, haptic output device118 may use electrostatic attraction to vary the friction the user feelson the surface of touch surface 116. For example, in one embodiment,haptic output device 118 may comprise an electrostatic display or anyother device that applies voltages and currents instead of mechanicalmotion to generate a haptic effect. In such an embodiment, anelectrostatic actuator may comprise a conducting layer and an insulatinglayer. In such an embodiment, the conducting layer may be anysemiconductor or other conductive material, such as copper, aluminum,gold, or silver. And the insulating layer may be glass, plastic,polymer, or any other insulating material. Furthermore, the processor102 may operate the electrostatic actuator by applying an electricsignal to the conducting layer. The electric signal may be an AC signalthat, in some embodiments, capacitively couples the conducting layerwith an object near or touching touch surface 116. In some embodiments,the AC signal may be generated by a high-voltage amplifier. In otherembodiments the capacitive coupling may simulate a friction coefficientor texture on the surface of the touch surface 116. For example, in oneembodiment, the surface of touch surface 116 may be smooth, but thecapacitive coupling may produce an attractive force between an objectnear the surface of touch surface 116. In some embodiments, varying thelevels of attraction between the object and the conducting layer canvary the simulated texture on an object moving across the surface oftouch surface 116 or vary the coefficient of friction felt as the objectmoves across the surface of touch surface 116. Furthermore, in someembodiments, an electrostatic actuator may be used in conjunction withtraditional actuators to vary the simulated texture on the surface oftouch surface 116. For example, the actuators may vibrate to simulate achange in the texture of the surface of touch surface 116, while at thesame time; an electrostatic actuator may simulate a different texture,or other effects, on the surface of touch surface 116.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that, in addition tovarying the coefficient of friction, other techniques or methods can beused to, for example, simulate a texture on a surface. In someembodiments, a texture may be simulated or output using a flexiblesurface layer configured to vary its texture based upon contact from asurface reconfigurable haptic substrate (including, but not limited to,e.g., fibers, nanotubes, electroactive polymers, piezoelectric elements,or shape memory allows) or a magnetorheological fluid. In anotherembodiment, surface texture may be varied by raising or lowering one ormore surface components, for example, with a deforming mechanism, air orfluid pockets, local deformation of materials, resonant mechanicalelements, piezoelectric materials, micro-electromechanical systems(“MEMS”) elements, thermal fluid pockets, MEMS pumps, variable porositymembranes, or laminar flow modulation.

In some embodiments an electrostatic actuator may be used to generate ahaptic effect by stimulating parts of the body near or in contact withthe touch surface 116. For example, in some embodiments an electrostaticactuator may stimulate the nerve endings in the skin of a user's fingeror components in a stylus that can respond to the electrostaticactuator. The nerve endings in the skin, for example, may be stimulatedand sense the electrostatic actuator (e.g., the capacitive coupling) asa vibration or some more specific sensation. For example, in oneembodiment, a conducting layer of an electrostatic actuator may receivean AC voltage signal that couples with conductive parts of a user'sfinger. As the user touches the touch surface 116 and moves his or herfinger on the touch surface, the user may sense a texture ofprickliness, graininess, bumpiness, roughness, stickiness, or some othertexture.

Further, in some embodiments, multiple actuators may be used to outputhaptic effects. This may serve to increase the range of effects thathaptic output devices 118 can output. For example, in some embodiments,vibrating actuators may be used in coordination with electrostaticactuators to generate a broad range of effects. In still furtherembodiments, additional types of haptic output devices, such as devicesconfigured to deform a touch surface, may be used in coordination withother haptic output devices, such as vibrating actuators.

Turning to memory 104, exemplary program components 124, 126, and 128are depicted to illustrate how a device may be configured to generatehaptic effects associated with audio signals. In this example, adetection module 124 configures processor 102 to monitor touch surface116 via sensor 108 to determine a position of a touch. For example,module 124 may sample sensor 108 in order to track the presence orabsence of a touch and, if a touch is present, to track one or more ofthe location, path, velocity, acceleration, pressure, and/or othercharacteristics of the touch over time.

Haptic effect determination module 126 represents a program componentthat analyzes audio data, such as data from an audio effect, to select ahaptic effect to generate. Particularly, module 126 comprises code thatdetermines, based on the audio data, a type of haptic effect to output.

Haptic effect generation module 128 represents programming that causesprocessor 102 to generate and transmit a haptic signal to haptic outputdevice 118, which causes haptic output device 118 to generate theselected haptic effect. For example, generation module 128 may accessstored waveforms or commands to send to haptic output device 118. Asanother example, haptic effect generation module 128 may receive adesired type of effect and utilize signal processing algorithms togenerate an appropriate signal to send to haptic output device 118. Someembodiments may utilize multiple haptic output devices in concert tooutput the haptic effect. In some embodiments, processor 102 may streamor transmit the haptic signal to the haptic output device 118.

A touch surface may or may not overlay (or otherwise correspond to) adisplay, depending on the particular configuration of a computingsystem. In FIG. 1B, an external view of a computing system 100B isshown. Computing device 101 includes a touch-enabled display 116 thatcombines a touch surface and a display of the device. The touch surfacemay correspond to the display exterior or one or more layers of materialabove the actual display components.

FIG. 1C illustrates another example of a touch-enabled computing system100C in which the touch surface does not overlay a display. In thisexample, a computing device 101 comprises a touch surface 116 which maybe mapped to a graphical user interface provided in a display 122 thatis included in computing system 120 interfaced to device 101. Forexample, computing device 101 may comprise a mouse, trackpad, or otherdevice, while computing system 120 may comprise a desktop or laptopcomputer, set-top box (e.g., DVD player, DVR, cable television box), oranother computing system. As another example, touch surface 116 anddisplay 122 may be disposed in the same device, such as a touch enabledtrackpad in a laptop computer comprising display 122. Whether integratedwith a display or otherwise, the depiction of planar touch surfaces inthe examples herein is not meant to be limiting. Other embodimentsinclude curved or irregular touch enabled surfaces that are furtherconfigured to provide surface-based haptic effects.

FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate an example of devices that may generate hapticeffects associated with audio signals. FIG. 2A is a diagram illustratingan external view of a system 200 comprising a computing device 201 thatcomprises a touch enabled display 202. FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectionalview of device 201. Device 201 may be configured similarly to device 101of FIG. 1A, though components such as the processor, memory, sensors,and the like are not shown in this view for purposes of clarity.

As can be seen in FIG. 2B, device 201 features a plurality of hapticoutput devices 218 and an additional haptic output device 222. Hapticoutput device 218-1 may comprise an actuator configured to impartvertical force to display 202, while 218-2 may move display 202laterally. In this example, the haptic output devices 218 and 222 arecoupled directly to the display, but it should be understood that thehaptic output devices 218 and 222 could be coupled to another touchsurface, such as a layer of material on top of display 202. Furthermore,it should be understood that one or more of haptic output devices 218 or222 may comprise an electrostatic actuator, as discussed above.Furthermore, haptic output device 222 may be coupled to a housingcontaining the components of device 201. In the examples of FIGS. 2A-2B,the area of display 202 corresponds to the touch area, though theprinciples could be applied to a touch surface completely separate fromthe display.

In one embodiment, haptic output devices 218 each comprise apiezoelectric actuator, while additional haptic output device 222comprises an eccentric rotating mass motor, a linear resonant actuator,or another piezoelectric actuator. Haptic output device 222 can beconfigured to provide a vibrotactile haptic effect in response to ahaptic signal from the processor. The vibrotactile haptic effect can beutilized in conjunction with surface-based haptic effects and/or forother purposes. For example, each actuator may be used in conjunction tooutput a vibration, simulate a texture, or vary the coefficient offriction on the surface of display 202.

In some embodiments, either or both haptic output devices 218-1 and218-2 can comprise an actuator other than a piezoelectric actuator. Anyof the actuators can comprise a piezoelectric actuator, anelectromagnetic actuator, an electroactive polymer, a shape memoryalloy, a flexible composite piezo actuator (e.g., an actuator comprisinga flexible material), electrostatic, and/or magnetostrictive actuators,for example. Additionally, haptic output device 222 is shown, althoughmultiple other haptic output devices can be coupled to the housing ofdevice 201 and/or haptic output devices 222 may be coupled elsewhere.Device 201 may comprise multiple haptic output devices 218-1/218-2coupled to the touch surface at different locations, as well.

Turning now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of a system forgenerating haptic effects associated with audio signals according to thepresent disclosure. The system 300 shown in FIG. 3 comprises a computingdevice 301, with a display 302 showing a video comprising a train 304.In some embodiments computing device 301 may comprise a handheldcomputing device, e.g., a mobile phone, a tablet, a music player, or alaptop computer. In another embodiment, computing device 301 maycomprise a multifunction controller. For example, a controller for usein a kiosk, ATM, or other computing device. Further, in one embodiment,computing device 301 may comprise a controller for use in a vehicle.

The video 304 may further comprise audible effects played by audiooutput devices (e.g., speakers or headphones) coupled to the computingdevice 301 (not shown in FIG. 3). Embodiments of the present disclosurecomprise methods for determining haptic effects based on the audiosignal. For example, some embodiments may separate the audio signal fromthe video signal, and then perform various operations, discussed infurther detail below, to determine haptic effects to output alongsidethe audio track.

In some embodiments, display 302 may comprise a touch-enabled display.Further, rather than displaying a video, display 302 may provide theuser with a graphical user interface, e.g., a graphical user interfacefor a kiosk, ATM, stereo system, car dashboard, telephone, computer,music player, or some other graphical user interface known in the art.In such an embodiment, computing device 301 may determine haptic effectsbased on audio signals associated with the graphical user interface. Forexample, in some embodiments the graphical user interface may compriseaudio effects output when the user interacts with icons, buttons, orother interface elements. In some embodiments, computing device 301 mayfurther determine haptic effects associated with one or more of theseaudio effects. In some embodiments, the computing device 301 may derivehaptic effects from the audio signal or any other sensor derived signal,e.g., signals from sensors such as user interfaces, accelerometers,gyroscopes, Inertial Measurement Units, etc.

In some embodiments, a video signal may not be included. For example, insome embodiments, haptic effects may be played alongside an audio trackthat is not associated with a video. In such an embodiment, the systemsand methods disclosed herein may operate on the audio signal, in realtime, as the signal is being played or at a time in advance of thesignal being played. For example, in some embodiments, an audio signalmay be processed to determine a haptic track, which is stored on a datastore for playing in the future. In such an embodiment, the haptic trackmay be determined by the computing device that plays the haptic track.In other embodiments, the haptic track may be created by the author ordistributor of the audio track. In such an embodiment, the author ordistributor may distribute the haptic track along with the audio track.

Illustrative Methods for Generating Haptic Effects Associated with AudioSignals

FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing illustrative methods 400 and 500for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals. In someembodiments, the steps in flow charts 400 and 500 may be implemented inprogram code executed by a processor, for example, the processor in ageneral purpose computer, mobile device, or server. In some embodiments,these steps may be implemented by a group of processors. In someembodiments, the steps shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be performed in adifferent order. Alternatively, in some embodiments, one or more of thesteps shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be skipped or additional steps notshown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be performed. The steps in FIGS. 4 and 5 aredescribed with regard to an audio signal. However, in some embodiments,the methods may be used to determine haptic effects associated withother types of signals, e.g., pressure, acceleration, velocity, ortemperature signals. The steps below are described with reference tocomponents described above with regard to system 100 shown in FIG. 1A.

The method 400 begins when processor 102 receives an audio signal 402.In some embodiments the audio signal may comprise a signal associatedwith a video playing on computing device 101. In other embodiments, theaudio signal may comprise a signal associated with an audio file that iscurrently playing on computing device 101. In still other embodiments,the audio signal may be associated with an audio file that is storedlocally on a computing device 101 or stored on a remote server. Forexample, in some embodiments, the audio signal may comprise an audiofile that is stored on a server and downloaded to the user on demand.

The method 400 continues when processor 102 determines a haptic effectbased on the audio signal 404. In some embodiments, the haptic effectmay comprise a vibration output by one or more haptic output device(s)118. In some embodiments, this vibration may be used to enhance theuser's perception of an audio track playing on the computing device 101.Similarly, in some embodiments, the haptic effect may comprise avariation in the coefficient of friction on touch surface 116. In otherembodiments, the haptic effect may comprise a simulated texture on thesurface of touch surface 116 (e.g., the texture of one or more of:water, grass, ice, metal, sand, gravel, brick, fur, leather, skin,fabric, rubber, leaves, or any other available texture).

In some embodiments, processor 102 may rely on programming contained inhaptic effect determination module 126 to determine the haptic effect.For example, the processor 102 may access drive signals stored in memory104 and associated with particular haptic effects. As another example, asignal may be generated by accessing a stored algorithm and inputtingparameters associated with an effect. For example, an algorithm mayoutput data for use in generating a drive signal based on amplitude andfrequency parameters. As another example, a haptic signal may comprisedata sent to an actuator to be decoded by the actuator. For instance,the actuator may itself respond to commands specifying parameters suchas amplitude and frequency.

Further, in some embodiments, users may be able to select a vibration,texture, variance in the coefficient of friction, or other haptic effectassociated with an audio file in order to customize computing device101. For example, in some embodiments, a user may select a haptic effectsuch as a surface texture to allow for personalization of the feel of atouch interface. In some embodiments, this haptic effect may beassociated with a ringtone, e.g., for an incoming call, email, textmessage, alarm, or other event. In some embodiments, the user may selectthese personalized haptic effects or surface textures through modifyingsettings or downloading software associated with particular effects. Inother embodiments, the user may designate effects through detectedinteraction with the device. In some embodiments, this personalizationof haptic effects may increase the user's sense of ownership and theconnection between the user and his or her device.

In still other embodiments, device manufacturers, artists,videographers, or software developers may select distinctive hapticeffects, such as surface textures, to brand their devices, userinterfaces, or artistic works (e.g., songs, videos, or audio tracks). Insome embodiments, these haptic effects may be unique to branded devicesand similar to other distinctive elements that may increase brandawareness. For example, many mobile devices and tablets may comprise acustom or branded home screen environment. For example, in someembodiments, devices produced by different manufacturers may comprisethe same operating system; however, manufacturers may distinguish theirdevices by modifying this home screen environment. Similarly, videos oraudio tracks produced by a certain company may comprise a specific typeof haptic effect. Thus, in some embodiments, some device manufacturers,production companies, or software developers may use haptic effects suchas textures or friction based effects to create a unique anddifferentiated user experience.

In some embodiments, the processor 102 may implement a “haptic profile.”A haptic profile may comprise specific algorithms or settings configuredto cause processor 102 to determine haptic effects with certaincharacteristics. In some embodiment, a haptic profile may be created orspecified by a user or a designer. Further, in some embodiments, adevice may comprise pre-programmed haptic profiles. In some embodiments,these haptic profiles may comprise, e.g., a haptic profile designed tooutput: active effects, subtle effects, or customized profiles forparticular types of audio signals (e.g., a specific haptic profile formusic, speech, special effects, movie types (e.g., action, drama,thriller, horror, comedy)), sporting events, or author types of signalsdescribed herein. For example, in one embodiment, a user may specify aparticular haptic profile associated with rock music and a differenthaptic profile associated with sporting events.

The method 400 continues when processor 102 outputs a haptic signalassociated with the haptic effect 406. The processor 102 outputs thehaptic signal to a haptic output device 118 configured to output thehaptic effect. In some embodiments, haptic output device 118 may outputthe haptic effect onto touch surface 116. In some embodiments hapticoutput device 118 may comprise traditional actuators such aspiezoelectric actuators or electric motors coupled to touch surface 116or other components within computing device 101. In other embodimentshaptic output device 118 may comprise electrostatic actuators configuredto simulate textures or vary coefficients of friction usingelectrostatic fields. In some embodiments, processor 102 may control aplurality of haptic output devices to simulate multiple haptic effects.For example, in one embodiment, processor 102 may control anelectrostatic actuator to simulate a texture on the surface of touchsurface 116 and processor 102 may further control other haptic outputdevices 118 to simulate other characteristics. For example, hapticoutput devices 118 may comprise actuators configured to output othereffects, such as vibrations configured to simulate barriers, detents,movement, or impacts on touch surface 116. In some embodiments,processor 102 may coordinate the effects so the user can feel aplurality of effects together when interacting with touch surface 116.

Then processor 102 outputs the audio signal 408. In some embodiments,processor 102 may output the audio signal to an audio output device suchas a speaker, headphone, or ear bud. In some embodiments, the audiooutput device may be integrated into computing device 101. In otherembodiments, the audio output device may be coupled to computing device101. Further, in some embodiment, the audio signal may be synchronizedto the haptic effects, e.g., in some embodiments, the haptic effect maybe output substantially simultaneously as a corresponding audio effect.

Turning now to FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an illustrativemethod 500 for determining haptic effects associated with audio signals.The method 500 begins when processor 102 identifies components in anaudio signal 502. Various example methods for identifying components inan audio signal are discussed in further detail below. In someembodiments, these components may be associated with changes in theamplitude, frequency, tone, pitch, or speed of the audio signal. Thesechanges may be associated with, for example, a change in musicalinstrument, a scene change in a movie, a change in source (e.g., achange in speaker), or some other transition commonly found in audiofiles.

The method 500 continues at step 504 when processor 102 determines ahaptic effect associated with the components determined in step 502. Insome embodiments, the haptic effect may be configured to simulate thecomponent. For example, if the determined component is associated withaction (e.g., gunfire or explosions) the haptic effect may comprise ahigh intensity haptic effect. In other embodiments, the haptic effectmay comprise a less intense haptic effect, e.g., an effect associatedwith peaceful music, such as that generated by a pan flute.Alternatively, in some embodiments, determining a haptic effectcomprises determining that no haptic effect should be associated with acomponent. For example, in one embodiment, background noises maycomprise no haptic effect. Thus, when the system determines oridentifies, a component associated with background noise, the system maydetermine no haptic effect. Similarly, in some embodiments, the systemmay determine that a component associated with speech should have nohaptic effect. Further, in one embodiment, the system may isolate thecomponents (e.g., background noises) and determine to remove hapticeffects associated with those components. For example, in oneembodiment, the system may clean a haptic track created by automaticconversion to remove haptic effects associated with the components.

Further, in some embodiments, the processor 102 may synch the hapticeffect(s) to the components. In some embodiments, synching hapticeffect(s) to the components comprises configuring the processor 102 tooutput a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect at a time thatsubstantially corresponds to the audio effect. In other embodiments, thehaptic effects may be output at some period after the audio effect. Forexample, in some embodiments, the processor 102 may output a hapticeffect that acts as an echo. For example, in one embodiment, the audiotrack may comprise components such as a sound simulating a gunshot. Insuch an embodiment, the processor may determine a haptic effect thatcoincides with the audio effect. The processor may further determine asecond haptic effect to be output a few second later to simulate an echoassociated with the gunshot.

Illustrative Methods for Determining Haptic Effects Associated withAudio Signals

FIGS. 6-8 are flowcharts showing illustrative methods 600, 700, and 800for determining haptic effects associated with audio signals. In someembodiments, the steps in FIGS. 6-8 may be implemented in program codeexecuted by a processor, for example, the processor in a general purposecomputer, mobile device, or server. In some embodiments, these steps maybe implemented by a group of processors. In some embodiments the stepsshown in FIGS. 6-8 may be performed in a different order. Alternatively,in some embodiments, one or more of the steps shown in FIGS. 6-8 may beskipped, or additional steps not shown in FIG. 6-8 may be performed. Thesteps in FIGS. 6-8 are described with regard to an audio signal.However, in some embodiments, the methods may be used to determinehaptic effects associated with other types of signals, e.g., pressure,acceleration, velocity, or temperature signals.

In some embodiments, the methods described in FIGS. 6-8 may beimplemented by a device coupled to a haptic output device thatultimately outputs the haptic effect. In other embodiments, the methodsdescribed in FIGS. 6-8 may be implemented by a haptic developer orcontent creator. In such an embodiment, the methods may be implementedas part of a toolbox that helps a designer or content creator assignhaptic effects to multimedia content. For example, in some embodimentsthese methods may be found as part of a plugin for audio or audio-visualediting software (e.g., a haptic studio, or a mobile application fordeveloping haptics).

Turning now to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 illustrates a flow chart for a method 600for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals according toone embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the method 600 begins when processor102 receives a signal associated with one or more components. In someembodiments, these components may comprise methods or systems associatedwith Acoustic Event Detection (AED) or Automatic Speech recognition(ASR). Further, in some embodiments these methods use audio featuresassociated with one or more of Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients(MFCC) along their first and second derivatives, MPEG-7 spectralfeatures, Critical Band combined with Teager Energy Operator features(CB-TEO), Periodicity of the signal, Wavelet based cepstralcoefficients, Spectral centroid, Spectral asymmetry, Spectral bandwidth,Zero Crossing Rate (ZCR), Linear Predictor Coefficient (LPC), LinearPredictive Cepstral Coefficients (LPCC), Log Frequency CepstralCoefficients (LFCC), or Fundamental frequency. In some embodiments,these components may be identified or tagged by a user who will listento an audio file. In other embodiments, these components may beidentified or tagged by a programmer or artist who developed the audiotrack.

Next at step 604, the processor 102 divides the audio signal into one ormore segments 604. In some embodiments, these segments may compriseoverlapping segments, or alternatively, in some embodiments the segmentsmay comprise non-overlapping segments. In some embodiments thesesegments may comprise time segments. For example, in some embodiments,the segments may comprise time segments of a predetermined period, e.g.,every 1, 0.5, 0.1, or 0.01 second. In other embodiments, the segmentsmay comprise time segments that vary in value. In still otherembodiments, the segment may comprise a different measurement of theaudio signal. For example, in one embodiment, the segment may comprisean amplitude segment, e.g., components of the signal within a certainamplitude range may form a segment. In still other embodiments, thesegment may comprise a frequency range within the signal. In such anembodiment, components of the audio signal within that frequency rangemay form the segment. In some embodiments, an example frequency rangemay comprise a range from 50 Hz to 200 Hz, or 1,000 Hz to 10,000 Hz.

Then at step 606, the processor 102 analyzes the segments. The processor102 analyzes the segment to identify one or more of the componentsdiscussed above in step 602. For example, the processor 102 maydetermine if a component such as speech or music is present. In someembodiments, the processor 102 may analyze the segment using one ofAcoustic Event Detection (AED) or Automatic Speech recognition (ASR). Insome embodiments, the analysis may comprise one or more of a frequency,amplitude, tone, or pitch based analysis. For example, in someembodiments the processor may perform a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) onthe audio signal, and then analyze the audio signal in the frequencydomain. For example, in one embodiment, the processor 102 may analyzethe segment by performing an FFT and then separating the peak frequencycomponents. The processor may further access a database of audio signaldata (e.g., a remote database accessible via network 110 or a localdatabase stored in storage 114) and compare the segment to the database.In some embodiments, this may enable the processor to isolate the sourceof an audio effect, e.g., to isolate a speaker or isolate a musicalinstrument or special effect (e.g., effects found in action movies suchas gun shots, explosions, or engine sounds).

Next at step 608 the processor 102 classifies the segments. In someembodiments, the processor 102 may classify the segments based on valuesof specific audio features in the segment or presence of a specificcomponent in the segment. In some embodiments, an algorithm forclassification (e.g., a recognition algorithm) may compare thecomponents or feature values of the segment against different modelsdescribing the different components or features. This algorithm mayfurther classify the segment based on the most probable model label.

In some embodiments, a model may be devised based on types of componentsassociated with that model. In one embodiment, a model for one type ofcomponent or feature may be constructed using components or featuresfrom a database of audio segments previously automatically or manuallylabeled with the same type. In some embodiments, this database maycomprise a large database comprising a plurality of classifiersconfigured to enable high speed searches associated with audio effects.In one embodiment, an example classification may comprise aclassification system per component (e.g., speech recognition system) ora classification system that assigns a segment to one component among aset. Examples of classification techniques used for AED may include, forexample, Gaussian Mixture Models (GMM), Support Vector Machine (SVM),Hidden Markov Models (HMM), K Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision trees,Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Vector Quantization (VQ), or BayesianNetworks (BN). Further, in some embodiments, the processor 102 mayaccess the database to store a specific feature or component, oralternatively, to perform a search on the database associated with thefeature or component.

Then at step 610, the processor 102 assigns a haptic effect based on theclassification. In some embodiments, the haptic effect may comprise aspecific type of effect associated with the classification. For example,in some embodiments, a specific class of signal may comprise a specifichaptic effect. In such an embodiment, for example, speech may comprise aspecific frequency vibration, while another audible effect, such as acar running, may comprise a different frequency vibration. Further, insome embodiments, the processor 102 may determine that certain classesof audio signals should have no haptic effect. For example, in someembodiments the processor 102 may determine that background noise orspeech should not be associated with any haptic effect. For example, inone embodiment a user or designer may adjust a setting such that theprocessor 102 will determine not to output a haptic effect associatedwith background noise or speech. Further, in one embodiment, a user ordesigner may adjust a setting such that processor 102 performs a searchof an audio file and cleans a haptic track to remove haptic effectsassociated with background noise or speech.

Turning now to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart for a method 700for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals according toone embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the method 700 begins when processor102 isolates sources within the audio signal 702. In some embodiments,the processor 102 may implement one or more of a plurality of differentmethods for isolating audio sources. In some embodiments, these methodsmay comprise methods for Acoustic Event Detection (AED) or AutomaticSpeech recognition (ASR). Further, in some embodiments these methods mayinclude algorithms configured to use one or more of Mel FrequencyCepstral Coefficients (MFCC) along their first and second derivatives,MPEG-7 spectral features, Critical Band combined with Teager EnergyOperator features (CB-TEO), Periodicity of the signal, Wavelet basedcepstral coefficients, Spectral centroid, Spectral asymmetry, Spectralbandwidth, Zero Crossing Rate (ZCR), Linear Predictor Coefficient (LPC),Linear Predictive Cepstral Coefficients (LPCC), Log Frequency CepstralCoefficients (LFCC), or Fundamental frequency.

Next at step 704 the processor 102 assigns haptic effects to thesources. For example, in some embodiments the processor may determinethat haptic effects should be associated with only certain sources. Forexample, the processor may apply haptic effects to audio associated withmusic, but remove or “clean” haptic effects associated with speaking.Similarly, the processor may determine specific effects for audio thatis associated with effects such as gunfire, engine noise, weather noise,or background noise. In some embodiments, the processor 102 may assignmultiple actuators to different audio effects. For example, theprocessor 102 may assign a first haptic output device 118 to generatehaptic effects associated with one source (e.g., a first speaker or afirst guitar) and assign a second haptic output device 118 to generatehaptic effects associated with a second source (e.g., a second speakeror special effects in the audio signal).

Turning now to FIG. 8, FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart for a method 800for generating haptic effects associated with audio signals according toone embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the method 800 begins at step 802when processor 102 isolates speech in an audio signal. In someembodiments, the processor 102 isolates speech by classifying segmentsof the audio signal, for example, by using identifying audio features orcomponents in the audio signal. In some embodiments, the processor 102may access a local or remote database of pre-tagged audio signals. Thisdatabase may include sounds of different types, different speakers, andwith different levels of noise. In some embodiments, the processor mayclassify signals as speech using one or more of: Signal energy, High/lowenergy, Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) and its derivatives,Linear Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (LFCC) and its derivatives, ZeroCrossing Rates (ZCR), autocorrelation frequency, or spectral gravitycenter. Further, in some embodiments the classifiers used for thediscrimination task may include: Neural networks, Gaussian MixtureModels (GMM), or Hidden Markov Models (HMM).

The method 800 continues when processor 102 determines one or moreemotions associated with the speech 804. The emotional state of thespeaker influences his or her speech patterns. For example, a speaker'semotions may cause the speaker to vary intonation, volume, speed, orother speech parameters. In some embodiments, the processor 102determines emotions in the speech by again classifying the signal. Insome embodiments, this classification comprises estimating one or morefeature values or components from the audio signal and classifying themagainst a local or remote database of speech samples tagged with theemotional state of the speaker. In some embodiments, an algorithm forclassification (e.g., a recognition algorithm) may compare thecomponents or feature values of the segment against different modelsdescribing different emotions. This algorithm may further classify thesegment based on the most probable emotion. In some embodiments, a modelmay be devised based on types of emotions associated with that model. Inone embodiment, a model for one type of emotion may be constructed usingcomponents or features from a database of audio segments previouslylabeled (e.g., manually or automatically) with the same emotion. In someembodiments, the database may be large enough to include samples ofspeakers of different ages, genders, emotional states andaccents/languages. Further, in some embodiments, the types of emotionsthat can be detected include: neutral, joy, anger, sadness,aggressiveness, boredom, disgust, fear, stress, surprise, orindignation.

The processor 102 may use multiple different components for emotiondetection. In some embodiments, these components may comprise frequencybased components, e.g., fundamental frequency change, average pitch,pitch range, spectral features, MFCC, LFCC, formant features, or contourslope. In other embodiments, these components may comprise time basedcomponents, e.g., speech rate, stress frequency, energy, or ZCR. Instill other embodiments, these components may comprise voice qualityparameters, e.g., breathiness, brilliance, loudness, pausediscontinuity, or pitch discontinuity. For example, in some embodiments,anger and aggressiveness can be translated with high amplitude and fastspeech with strong high frequency energy and a wider pitch range. Inother embodiments, sadness may produce a slow and low pitched signal. Insome embodiments, the classifiers that might be used for the emotionclassification task may include: Neural Networks, SVM, GMM, HMM, KNN, ordecision trees.

Further, in some embodiments, the audio signal may comprise a featurewhich acts as a descriptor of an audio segment, which in someembodiments may enable an algorithm to classify a segment of the audiosignal, for example, by identifying an emotion. In one embodiment,Mel-frequency cepstrums (MFCC) may be used as audio features used forclassification. In such an embodiment, the system may identify events orsources using those MFCCs or other features or descriptors.

The method 800 continues when processor 102 determines a haptic effectassociated with the emotions 806. In some embodiments, the processor 102may determine rather than generating a haptic effect to generate hapticsilence. For example, for some emotions (e.g. depression, sadness) theprocessor 102 may cancel all haptic effects in this segment. Theprocessor 102 may also assign a haptic theme to a segment. For example,the detected emotion might be used to modulate the haptic effects in thesegment/scene to make it more relevant. These haptic effects might becreated by automatic conversion (audio and/or video) and can be relatedto speech or any other sound. For example, in an action movie scene withanger and stress emotions from the actors, the haptic effect may bedetermined to simulate a similar state of stress for the viewer. In suchan embodiment, the processor 102 may be configured to boost all thehaptic effects in a stressful scene. In other embodiments, when thescene is cheerful, the processor may be configured to attenuate one ormore haptic effects associated with the scene. In still otherembodiments, the processor 102 may be configured to determine a preseteffect. In such an embodiment, rather than using automatic conversion,the processor 102 may generate effects directly from tagged emotions.For example, in one embodiment, emotions may be tagged by a user,programmer, or content creator. In some embodiments, a preset effect canbe designed to fit the emotional state of the speaker and, in such anembodiment, it may be played along the speech to reflect and emphasizethis state. In still other embodiments, instead of using automaticconversion algorithms that might not fit the speech signal, theprocessor 102 may be configured to cancel all effects related to speechin the automatically created haptic track. In such an embodiment, theprocessor 102 may process the speech independently with an algorithmdesigned specifically for emotion detected. Further, in someembodiments, the processor 102 may apply a predetermined algorithm forspeech to haptics based on the determined emotion. For example, in oneembodiment, the processor may comprise a plurality of automatic speechto haptics algorithms that are each associated with a plurality ofemotions. In such an embodiment, when the processor 102 determines oneof the emotions, the processor 102 may determine the haptic effect usingthe corresponding algorithm.

Illustrative Systems for Generating Tactile Content Associated withAudio Signals to Create Tactile Media

Turning now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, embodiments for a system environment forcreating tactile content are set forth. As shown in FIG. 9A, system 900comprises A/V content 902 stored on one or more media server(s) 904 andhaptic content 908 stored on one or more haptic media server(s) 910. Asshown in system 900, each of media server(s) 904 and haptic mediaserver(s) 910 comprise one or more server(s) with standard componentsknown in the art, e.g., processor, memory, data storage, networkconnection(s), and software configured to store and access data storedon the server. Both the media server(s) 904 and the haptic mediaserver(s) 910 are coupled to one of cloud connections 906(a) or 906(b).Cloud connections 906(a) or 906(b) comprise wired and/or wirelessinternet connections as is known in the art.

As shown in system 900, A/V content 902 (such as an audio, image, orvideo file), is transmitted separately from haptic content 908 (such asa haptic track as described above). When received, e.g., by a computingdevice of the types described above, an application such as a publisherapplication 912 (e.g., a tactile-enabled Android app or haptic mediaSDK) may be accessed to sync and/or play the video and tactile streams.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 9B as system 950, A/V content withembedded haptic information 952 is stored on one or more media server(s)954. These media server(s) may be coupled to one or more cloudconnection(s) 956. In such an embodiment, an application such as apublisher application 958 (e.g., a tactile-enabled Android app or hapticmedia SDK) may be accessed to determine and/or play the A/V content andembedded haptic content 952.

Advantages of Systems and Methods for Generating Haptic EffectsAssociated with Audio Signals

There are numerous advantages of generating haptic effects associatedwith audio signals. For example, automatic audio to haptics conversionalgorithms may try to haptify as much audio content as possible withoutany distinction between the different sounds mixed in the signal.However, this approach leads to undesirable haptic effects because thehaptic effect can become overwhelming. For example, when automaticallycreating haptic effects for a movie using its audio track, speech andbackground music might get haptified. Those effects are irrelevant formost users and thus can downgrade their experience. However, embodimentsof the present disclosure allow for automatic audio to hapticsconversion that intelligently assigns haptic effects to only certainaudio effects. This prevents the end haptic effect from beingoverwhelming.

Further, embodiments of the present disclosure enable the user, contentcreator, or system designer to specify the components of an audio signalthat should comprise haptic effects. This enables the user, contentcreator, or system designer to automatically create more compellinghaptic effects for audio signals, because the user can specify certainsources for which there will be no haptic output. For example, sometypes of components may be annoying if haptified, in some embodiments,these components may include, e.g., keyboard typing, music beats,applauses, cheers, classical music, shouting, etc. Systems and methodsdisclosed herein may enable a designer to avoid haptifying thesecomponents, or to remove haptic effects associated with these componentsfrom a haptic track.

General Considerations

The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Variousconfigurations may omit, substitute, or add various procedures orcomponents as appropriate. For instance, in alternative configurations,the methods may be performed in an order different from that described,and/or various stages may be added, omitted, and/or combined. Also,features described with respect to certain configurations may becombined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elementsof the configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also,technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and donot limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thoroughunderstanding of example configurations (including implementations).However, configurations may be practiced without these specific details.For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, andtechniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoidobscuring the configurations. This description provides exampleconfigurations only, and does not limit the scope, applicability, orconfigurations of the claims. Rather, the preceding description of theconfigurations will provide those skilled in the art with an enablingdescription for implementing described techniques. Various changes maybe made in the function and arrangement of elements without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the disclosure.

Also, configurations may be described as a process that is depicted as aflow diagram or block diagram. Although each may describe the operationsas a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed inparallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations maybe rearranged. A process may have additional steps not included in thefigure. Furthermore, examples of the methods may be implemented byhardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardwaredescription languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented insoftware, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or codesegments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as a storage medium.Processors may perform the described tasks.

Having described several example configurations, various modifications,alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departingfrom the spirit of the disclosure. For example, the above elements maybe components of a larger system, wherein other rules may takeprecedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention.Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after theabove elements are considered. Accordingly, the above description doesnot bound the scope of the claims.

The use of “adapted to” or “configured to” herein is meant as open andinclusive language that does not foreclose devices adapted to orconfigured to perform additional tasks or steps. Additionally, the useof “based on” is meant to be open and inclusive, in that a process,step, calculation, or other action “based on” one or more recitedconditions or values may, in practice, be based on additional conditionsor values beyond those recited. Headings, lists, and numbering includedherein are for ease of explanation only and are not meant to belimiting.

Embodiments in accordance with aspects of the present subject matter canbe implemented in digital electronic circuitry, in computer hardware,firmware, software, or in combinations of the preceding. In oneembodiment, a computer may comprise a processor or processors. Theprocessor comprises or has access to a computer-readable medium, such asa random access memory (RAM) coupled to the processor. The processorexecutes computer-executable program instructions stored in memory, suchas executing one or more computer programs including a sensor samplingroutine, selection routines, and other routines to perform the methodsdescribed above.

Such processors may comprise a microprocessor, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC),field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and state machines. Suchprocessors may further comprise programmable electronic devices such asPLCs, programmable interrupt controllers (PICs), programmable logicdevices (PLDs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), electronicallyprogrammable read-only memories (EPROMs or EEPROMs), or other similardevices.

Such processors may comprise, or may be in communication with, media,for example tangible computer-readable media, that may storeinstructions that, when executed by the processor, can cause theprocessor to perform the steps described herein as carried out, orassisted, by a processor. Embodiments of computer-readable media maycomprise, but are not limited to, all electronic, optical, magnetic, orother storage devices capable of providing a processor, such as theprocessor in a web server, with computer-readable instructions. Otherexamples of media comprise, but are not limited to, a floppy disk,CD-ROM, magnetic disk, memory chip, ROM, RAM, ASIC, configuredprocessor, all optical media, all magnetic tape or other magnetic media,or any other medium from which a computer processor can read. Also,various other devices may include computer-readable media, such as arouter, private or public network, or other transmission device. Theprocessor, and the processing, described may be in one or morestructures, and may be dispersed through one or more structures. Theprocessor may comprise code for carrying out one or more of the methods(or parts of methods) described herein.

While the present subject matter has been described in detail withrespect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated thatthose skilled in the art, upon attaining an understanding of theforegoing may readily produce alterations to, variations of, andequivalents to such embodiments. Accordingly, it should be understoodthat the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of examplerather than limitation, and does not preclude inclusion of suchmodifications, variations and/or additions to the present subject matteras would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.

What is claimed:
 1. A system for outputting haptic effects comprising: aprocessor configured to: receive an audio signal; identify one or moreaudio components in the audio signal; identify background noises in theaudio signal; determine a haptic effect associated with the one or moreaudio components; output a haptic signal associated with the hapticeffect; and output the audio signal to an audio output device configuredto output an audible effect.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is further configured to determine not to output a hapticeffect associated with the background noises.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein identifying one or more audio components of the audio signalcomprises: receiving a signal associated with one or more audiocomponents; dividing the audio signal into a plurality of segments;analyzing one of the plurality of segments to determine if one or moreof the components is present; and classifying the segment based on thepresence of one or more of the components.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein analyzing one of the plurality of audio segments comprisesimplementing an acoustic event detection technique.
 5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the acoustic event detection technique comprisesautomatic speech recognition.
 6. The system of claim 3, whereinclassifying one of the plurality of audio segments comprises comparingthe audio segment to a database of data associated with the one or morecomponents.
 7. The system of claim 3, wherein determining a hapticeffect comprises assigning a haptic effect based on the classificationof the segment.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein identifying one ormore audio components of the audio signal comprises isolating speech inthe audio signal.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein identifying one ormore audio components of the audio signal comprises isolating soundsassociated with action effects in the audio signal.
 10. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a haptic output device configured to receivethe haptic signal and output the haptic effect.
 11. A method foroutputting haptic effects comprising: receiving an audio signal;identifying one or more audio components in the audio signal;identifying background noises in the audio signal; determining a hapticeffect associated with the one or more audio components; outputting ahaptic signal associated with the haptic effect; and outputting theaudio signal to an audio output device configured to output an audibleeffect.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining notto output a haptic effect associated with the background noises.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, wherein identifying one or more audio components ofthe audio signal comprises: receiving a signal associated with one ormore audio components; dividing the audio signal into a plurality ofsegments; analyzing one of the plurality of segments to determine if oneor more of the components is present; and classifying the segment basedon the presence of one or more of the components.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein analyzing one of the plurality of audio segmentscomprises implementing an acoustic event detection technique.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein the acoustic event detection techniquecomprises automatic speech recognition.
 16. The method of claim 13,wherein classifying one of the plurality of audio segments comprisescomparing the audio segment to a database of data associated with theone or more components.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein determininga haptic effect comprises assigning a haptic effect based on theclassification of the segment.
 18. The method of claim 11, whereinidentifying one or more audio components of the audio signal comprisesisolating speech in the audio signal.
 19. The method of claim 11,wherein identifying one or more audio components of the audio signalcomprises isolating sounds associated with action effects in the audiosignal.
 20. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising programcode, which when executed by a processor, is configured to cause theprocessor to: receive an audio signal; identify one or more audiocomponents in the audio signal; identify background noises in the audiosignal; determine a haptic effect associated with the one or more audiocomponents; output a haptic signal associated with the haptic effect;and output the audio signal to an audio output device configured tooutput an audible effect.